Identifying an Browning bolt action

This is what I found that might be of some use: In 1960, Browning introduced the FN High Power bolt-action, made in Belgium along distinctly American lines. It was based on a commercial FN claw-extractor action and came in three grades: Safari, Medallion, and Olympian. The first is plain vanilla; the second considerably fancier, and the third is a vision of firearm magnificence which you are probably not worthy to behold.

It's a beauty. I've been keeping my eye out for one like it

Browning High Power for sure. Safari Grade. They made higher featured Medallion and Olympian grade as well.
I have the Safari as shown by the OP though, in .30-06.

Broad strokes, High Powers started as long-extractor Mauser, large ring receivered guns and then they went to short extractor. Small ring Mausers were added for other than the larger calibers and then eventually, the Mauser actions were all gone and they went to Sako actions.

Another MAJOR point of note in the production is the issue of *Salt Stocks*.

After they took off, a genius figured they could address their problems of acquiring premium walnut by taking fresh America Walnut and pushing the curing time by using salt rather than merely age/heat.

OUTSTANDING idea except for this, they did not perfect a technique, or even a test for confirming the full removal of residual salt from the wood and it then proceeded to attack - quite catastrophically in many cases - the beautiful steel of these firearms.

If you're looking into High Power rifles - and, WHO wouldn't? - you MUST educate yourself on IDing salt stock years and guns in particular.
After that, know to identify an original Browning stock, a replacement Browning stock (which they actual rapidly quit offering) and an after-market replacement stock.

One does not want to pay a premium for one of these and get a *salt* gun or replacement stock at original prices.

Also, look above the Browning/caliber roll-mark. You'll see the pre-drilled & tapped safari-rear-sight point. Always look for those to identify potentially replaced barrels. They were supposed to be able to be ordered without but I have yet to see one with them absent on an original barrel.


Too, while rare and interesting, that scope/adjustable mount combo of wonderful, contemporary vintage to the gun is a quite problematic set-up for real-world use given today's options.

Todd.

Give them a call! I think they're located in Oregon!

I would go with a qualified *yes* and note Leupold's famous customer service.

These guns fall through many manufacturers' and *experts'* cracks of knowledge but clicking through Leupold's options give me confidence.

They are selling a steel, one-pice, gloss that look just like my vintage Redfield *FN* model.

As an example - your scope particulars NOT noted.
https://www.leupold.com/scope-mounts/std-mauser-fn-1-pc

I'm also betting he'll be thrilled with being able to lower the axis of the optics now.


Todd.

Should you wish to seek out a more artful vintage Redfield, you'll see them clearly marked FN as and at the model location. Underside of mount, above the bolt and midway front to rear.

Todd.

Just gotta say... beautiful rifle. Don't let it escape.

Just out of curiosity....

caliber?

If that were my rifle I would think about changing the scope, and then think again. True, that American made B&L scope is gaining on vintage status but it is still a superb example of what a hunting scope ought to be. And the mounting system is like a vise with the scope is clamped in what amounts to V-ways. Which combined with the scope's fixed reticle, amounts almost to a mechanical immovable object. I hunt with a couple of rifles (Which coincidentally, each have FN actions.) with B&L scopes and mounts. Once zeroed, the POI is like forever. One of the scopes is the classic 8X which I continue to use as the benchmark for evaluating other hunting scopes. It's mounted on the .257 Wby Mag shown here. The other rifle is a FN .30/06 with B&L 4X..

Offfhand said:

If that were my rifle I would think about changing the scope, and then think again. True, that American made B&L scope is gaining on vintage status but it is still a superb example of what a hunting scope ought to be. And the mounting system is like a vise with the scope is clamped in what amounts to V-ways. Which combined with the scope's fixed reticle, amounts almost to a mechanical immovable object. I hunt with a couple of rifles (Which coincidentally, each have FN actions.) with B&L scopes and mounts. Once zeroed, the POI is like forever. One of the scopes is the classic 8X which I continue to use as the benchmark for evaluating other hunting scopes. It's mounted on the .257 Wby Mag shown here. The other rifle is a FN .30/06 with B&L 4X..View attachment 884473 View attachment 884474

Click to expand...

I have one of those mounts and would not take anything for it. Rock solid and never shifts.